Beaufort County’s unemployment rate did not change from July to August, remaining at 4.9 percent, according to the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

For August, 26 of the state’s 100 counties experienced increases in their unemployment rates, 25 counties experiences decreases in their jobless rates and 49 counties realized no change in their jobless rates from July to August, according to LEAD data. The state’s unemployment rate remained at 4.5 percent from July through August.

Among the state’s 100 counties in August, 70 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 30 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and no county had a jobless rate of 10 percent or higher. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rates in August at 7.7 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate in August at 3.4 percent.

“Most monthly economic measures for NC continued to look good through August. Labor force participation is one negative trend worth watching. But another, less obvious one, is the slowdown in job creation. Year-over-year job growth has remained positive but has slowed a bit since last fall. Over the past 12 months, the number of total jobs has risen 1.6%, compared to 2.4% over each of the previous two years. NC’s current rate of job growth is now in-line with the nation, so we’re not any worse than the US overall. But the rate of job creation is something to monitor into our 9th year of economic expansion,” according to a statement released by the state’s Commerce Department.

One of the state’s 15 metropolitan areas experienced a jobless-rate increase from July to August, according to LEAD data, while three metropolitan areas realized decreases and 11 others saw no change.

For August, Beaufort County’s workforce was at 20,128 people. Of that number, 19,142 people were on the job, leaving 986 without employment. For July, Beaufort County’s workforce was at 20,495 people. Of that number, 19,496 people were working, leaving 999 without employment.

Hyde County’s jobless rate decreased from 5.7 percent in July to 5.6 percent in August. In August 2016, its unemployment rate was at 6.7 percent.

From July to August, Martin County’s unemployment rate fell from at 5.6 percent to 5.5 percent. In August 2016, its jobless rate was at 7 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 4.9 percent in August, the same as in July. In August 2016, its unemployment rate was at 5.9 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.2 percent in July to 5.9 percent in August. In August 2016, the county’s jobless rate was at 7.3 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in August was 4.9 percent, the same as in the previous month. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for August was 5 percent, down from 5.1 percent in July.

Of the state’s 15 metropolitan statistical areas, five of the five MSAs east of Interstate 95 and the Fayetteville MSA had the highest unemployment rates in August, all above or at the state rate of 4.5 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for August was 4.1 percent. The Rocky Mount MSA was the highest in the state at 6.6 percent for August.

The jobless figures released by the Commerce Department do not include unemployed people whose unemployment insurance benefits expired and who are not listed as unemployed. Factor in those people and a county’s true jobless rate is higher.